Medically Reviewed
Medically reviewed by Erika Dalton, LMSW
Written by Tampa Bay Recovery staff
Updated on August 13, 2023
Contents
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Addiction never impacts just one person. We utilize family therapy in Tampa to help clients and their families find healing, growth, and sustainable recovery. Compulsive substance abuse can affect children, spouses, parents, close friends, and many others. Loved ones can also play a vital role in helping a person achieve long-term recovery. But this is unlikely to occur until everyone receives the professional attention they deserve. At Tampa Bay Recovery Center, we understand the importance of treating the whole family.
How Does Family Therapy in Tampa Work?
At Tampa Bay Recovery Center, our family therapy sessions are supportive forums where loved ones can gain important information, resolve conflicts, and learn how to better support each other.
As a component of addiction treatment, family therapy sessions typically include the individual who is receiving care and a small group of people who are close to them.
Though âfamilyâ is in the name of this type of therapy, it is important to understand that these sessions arenât necessarily limited to people who are related to each other. In addition to spouses, siblings, and children, family sessions may also involve unmarried partners, trusted friends, and others who play an important role in the life of the person who is receiving treatment.
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The Family System & Substance Abuse
Addiction is often referred to as a family disease. This can be taken both literally and metaphorically.
On the literal side, certain inherited genetic traits may increase a personâs risk of developing a substance use disorder. Among people who receive treatment, it is common to have a family history of substance abuse and addiction.
From a metaphoric perspective, a personâs struggles with substance abuse can affect â and can be affected by â their relationships with friends and family members. Identifying dysfunctional behavior patterns among loved ones, and replacing them with healthier ways of interacting, can be an important part of family therapy.
For example, if a parent has become addicted to alcohol or another drug, their behavior can impact their spouse as well as their children. The spouse and the children may develop maladaptive ways to cope with the trauma and uncertainty that has been introduced into their lives. These unhealthy adjustments may become a source of additional stress and trauma, which can exacerbate what has already been a difficult experience for the entire family.
In many cases, family members and close friends may not even realize the extent to which their lives have been affected by their loved oneâs addiction. During family therapy sessions, they can gain valuable perspective and receive focused guidance so that they can make the changes that will improve their own lives, enhance their relationships with each other, and enable them to support their loved oneâs recovery efforts.
What to Expect During Family Therapy in Tampa
Family therapy in Tampa is a personalized experience. No two family sessions will ever be the same, because every family has a unique history and a specific set of challenges and concerns.
- The professional who leads the family session can help participants process their experiences and resolve their anger, frustration, or other negative emotions.
- Family therapy sessions should be informative and supportive for all. Participants should feel free to ask questions if they donât understand a particular concept or approach.
Family therapy is not a standalone solution. It is one part of a multifaceted effort to help a person achieve recovery and improve the lives of those who have been impacted by the disease of addiction. This effort will continue long after the family therapy sessions have concluded and the personâs time in treatment has ended. With the guidance of an experienced professional, sessions may include topics such as:
- Learning about the disease of addiction, treatment, and the recovery process
- Processing how participants have been affected by their loved oneâs struggles with substance abuse
- Addressing conflicts or other concerns that may have prevented the participants from relating to each other in a more effective manner
- Developing healthier communication skills
- Understanding how to support the individual who is receiving care both during and after their time in treatment
Benefits of Family Therapy
People who participate in family therapy at Tampa Bay Recovery Center may benefit in many ways, including:
- Realizing that they may need additional therapy or counseling to address these concerns
- Identifying specific changes they can make in order to live a healthier and more satisfying life
- Communicating more effectively with the people who are most important to them
- Receiving personalized feedback and guidance from an experienced professional
- Gaining vital insights into addiction and its effect on family systems
- Understanding what their loved one was experiencing while they were in active addiction
- Understanding what their loved one was experiencing while they were in active addiction
- Having a safe and supportive place to discuss how they have been impacted by their loved oneâs struggles
Ready to Escape Addiction? Let's get Started
Tampa Bay Recovery Center is a premier leader in the provision of addiction treatment services. If you or someone you love is in need of professional care to address a substance use disorder, reach out to us right now at (813) 733-8774 to speak with an admissions specialist who can get you started on the road to recovery.
Begin Family Therapy in Tampa
Family therapy is one of many beneficial elements of care that we may include in a personâs customized treatment plan at Tampa Bay Recovery Center. Our team understands the importance of educating and empowering loved ones, so that they can live healthier lives an provide the best possible support to the individual who is receiving treatment.
Learn more about our admissions process and the many other services we provide for people whose lives have been disrupted by substance abuse and addiction.
Our Philosophy
We believe that getting help for substance use disorders is about much more than just trying to get through another day of not drinking or using drugs. Our mission is to help people reclaim their lives by teaching them how to effectively deal with the stress, trauma, and anxiety that contribute to their addictions.Â
Meet Our Team
Our staff has over 60 years of combined experience in treating behavioral health disorders. Our compassionate and empathetic approach has helped hundreds.